GLBTRT Newsletter

A publication of the , , Bisexual, Round Table of the American Library Association http://www.ala.org/glbtrt

Vol. 24, No. 1 Spring 2012

Illinois Group Presents in Iowa In February, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s ALA Student Table of Contents Chapter's and Ally Committee presented at the 2012 MBLGTACC (Midwest Bisexual, Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, Ally College Conference) at Iowa State. Their session "We Were Classified This Way: Queerly Transforming the Library" explored

revolutionary library work that sustains queer histories. Iowa LGBT Included in their session was the history of LGBTQ topics in the library, how Presentation 1 subject headings are changed and added ‘License to Bully’ 1 to the Library of Congress in context of the Leather Archives and Museum, authority records and how to fix subject headings at Newsletter Staff 2 your library, porn and privacy, how to ar-

chive student organizations, and young LGBT Resources 3 adult (fan)fiction. Presenters were Lucas McKeever, Becca Sorgert, Jane Sandberg, GLSEN As Ally Jeanie Austin, Stephanie Sopka, and Melis- Jenny Betz 4 sa Funfsinn. [Note: Thanks to co-chair of the committee and new GLBTRT member

Becca Sorgent, who sent this “because I'm NYC LGBT Resources super proud of our group!”] Lydia Willoughby 5 These young people are vital be- cause of legislation like the “license to bully” that Tennessee continues to pursue. LGBT Bookstores 6-7 HB 1153 originally stated that students would be protected if they made bullying comments because of their religious beliefs; now an amendment has changed “religious beliefs” to “First Amendment rights.” The new language states that kids News 7-8, 11, 13 can say anything they want if “such expression does not include a threat of physical harm to a student or damage to a student’s property.” Non- The question, of course, is what constitutes the “threat” and “damage.” One Laws Tennessee school district claims that a boy’s suicide came from his being gay, not Jarred Wilson 8 from the bullying treatment he received from other students. The bill adds that nothing the schools do can “promote a political agenda” and “make the characteris- Reviews tics of the victim the focus rather than the conduct of the person engaged in harass- ment, intimidation, or bullying, or teach or suggest that certain beliefs or viewpoints YA Books 9-10 are discriminatory when an act or practice based on such belief or viewpoint is not a Adult Books 10-12 discriminatory practice …” Film 13 Legislators are also considering bringing back the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. If this bill were passed, school teachers and staff would not be allowed to say the words Books Submitted 14-15 “gay” or homosexual,” even—or especially—in a positive way. High school principal Dorothy Bond (Haywood High School in Brownsville, Ten-

nessee)may have thought she was exercising her “First Amendment rights” when Calendar/Officers 16 she said in a February school assembly that gay students are going to hell. A parent said that in an earlier assembly Bond “told the young men if they’re sitting between the legs of a girl getting their hair braided for a few hours, that they must be gay.” Last year Michigan had proposed a similar bill but failed to pass it after news Vote! about the “license to bully” clause raised an uproar across the . Not everyone in Tennessee supports the anti-LGBT legislation. Martha Boggs, Deadline: April 27, 2012 owner of Bistro at the Bijou, asked Tennessee State Sen. Stacey Campfield to leave her Knoxville restaurant because he sponsored a bill that would prevent discussion of in public schools and recently said that it was virtually impossible for heterosexuals to spread HIV. "I feel like he's gone from being stupid to being dangerous,” Boggs said, “and I wanted to stand up to him."

Page 2 Volume 23 Number 4

Jarred Wilson: I am in my second semester at The University of Texas at Austin’s School of Information, working on my Master of Science in Information Studies. My background includes an undergraduate degree in history, focusing on the American Colonial era. After college I worked for four years managing two Planned Parenthood health centers. I have been active in the GLBT community, serving on a local steering committee for Equality Florida, as well as volunteering for (and serving a term on the board of directors of) ALSO Out Youth, an organization serving GLBT youth ages 14-21. My wonderful partner of eight years, Mark, and my adorable Schnauzer, Rudy, were gracious enough to follow me to Austin when I decided to pursue graduate school. My interest in studying information comes from a love of organizing and helping people find information, paired with my appreciation for the historical record. I am trying to narrow down my focus, but my interests are leaning towards archives and special libraries. I asked to join the Newsletter Committee because I have found the GLBTRT particularly helpful when navigating the ALA, and I would like to be part of continuing that model of helpfulness and service to each other.

Sarah Corvene: I work at Harvard Business School as a Taxonomy/Metadata Specialist. My duties range from traditional library cataloging of serials, monographs, and electronic resources to work with non-library metadata for HBS projects and websites. I have been a member of the GLBT Roundtable for many years but have only recently begun to get involved. I have been a librarian for about 20 years (more if you count my years as a paraprofessional), 15 of them at Harvard. Personally, I have a deep interest in social justice and environmental issues. I am an avid cyclist, both for recreation and transportation, and can often be found cruising the roads of the Boston area on my recumbent bicycle. I brew my own beer and am always willing to share. I’m willing to do what needs to be done and look forward to working on the newsletter.

Lydia Willoughby is a librarian and instructor living in Burlington, Vermont. A recent graduate of the Palmer School of Library and Information Science at Long Island University, she has worked as a reference librarian at LaGuardia Community College, The City University of , and has a background in nonprofit development and strategic fundraising. In her free time, she helps organize Que(e)ry Party (www.queeryparty.org) and enjoys advocating for open access publishing. Follow her on twitter, @willoughbrarian and @queeryparty.

Nel Ward: After 31 years in education as a teacher and a librarian, I retired to the Oregon Coast and opened a bookstore/B&B. My professional experiences in ALA began in 1986 with YALSA, participating on most of their book selection/award committees before I joined SRRT and helped develop the FTF Amelia Bloomer Project. In GLBTRT I have worked with starting The Rainbow Project and the Over the Rainbow Project. In my “retirement” I co-edited The Butch Cookbook and coordinate a youth book review group and write newsletters, including the monthly one for the local PFLAG chapter while I enjoy life with my wonderful partner of almost 43 years and our pets and friends.

Reviewers Wanted! Some of our past reviewers have decided to tackle different projects, and we would like to add more people to our existing cadre. Our list of available titles have offerings for almost everyone—LGBT memoirs and biographies, literature, mysteries, erotica, poetry, spirituality, speculative fiction, etc. If you want to read a good book or watch a good film—and keep them—contact us at [email protected]. Please put “Review” in the subject heading.

GLBTRT Newsletter (ISSN 1533-7219) is an GLBTRT Newsletter Staff Newsletter Deadlines official publication of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexu- al, Transgender Round Table of the American Library Association. It is published quarterly in Editor: Nel Ward

March, June, September, and January. Acting Review Committee Chair: Spring 2012 3/15/12 Jesse Nachem American Library Association Summer 2012 5/31/12 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611 Writers: Fall 2012 8/31/12 Winter 2013 11/31/12 Sarah Corvene Please send correspondence to Spring 2013 3/15/13 Lydia Willoughly Nel Ward, Editor [email protected] Jarred Wilson

Volume 23, Number 4 Page 3 LGBT Resources for Youth Book Club for Kids: Lambda Literary Foundation is launching My Story, a national online book club for LGBT youth in May. The goal of the program, in partnership with the Gay/Straight Educators Alli- ance and the National Council of Teachers of English, is to provide readers 14 years and older the chance to read and discover LGBT works in the safe and protective atmosphere of Goodreads. Led by a guest youth moderator, weekly activities include discussions, polls, play lists, author commentary and trivia; at the end of the month, the featured author will participate in an hour- long Q&A with readers. The inauguration book is Martin Wilson’s What They Always Tell Us about high school stu- dents, Nathen and Alex, who bond over the mystery surrounding Alex’s 10-year-old neighbor, Henry. For infor- mation about the program, upcoming books, and ways for 14-18-year-olds to become a moderator, check out their website.

New Publisher for Picture Books: S. Bear Bergman, award-winning trans author, has launched Flamingo Rampant!, a press creating gender independent chil- dren’s books with The Adventures of Tulip, Birthday Wish Fairy and Backwards Day as the first two titles. -based artist Suzy Malik illustrates Adventures in a mixed-media style; Katie Diamond of Portland (ME) uses a modern cartoon style for Backwards. Bergman’s wish is to publish fun and interesting trans or gender inde- pendent books. The term “gender independent” is used because trans identified re- quires the ability to identify, something which young children may not do. The for- mer term of “gender nonconforming” seems pejorative, according to Bergman. Be- cause publishers were reluctant to take a chance on books that they feared would not have a large audience, Bergman decided to take on this task of publishing these books that ze wrote two years ago for the Gender Spectrum Family Conference. The two books will be released in June.

Source of LGBT Materials for Kids: When married couple Monica and Cheril Bey-Clarke became licensed foster parents in New Jersey, they searched for good books for children of gay and lesbian parents. Frustrated by the void, they started My Family! ™, a subsidiary of Dodi Press, to address this need. Their mission is to offer a variety of multi-cultural products that “can be used to give children of same-sex parents a sense of normalcy, while promoting the celebration of our differences and the importance of family values. [They] also strive to educate children and reinforce the morality already taught in the home.” According to Cheril, “My Family! publishes and retails children’s books (picture books, educational books, coloring books, etc.), DVDs and CDs for chil- dren in Gay and Lesbian Families. Our products focus on family values, diversity, educa- tion and fun, while giving these children a sense of inclusion to help them in their growth stages. These items are heart-warming and wholesome and reinforce morals

already taught in the home.”

The Film Transformed into a Book: Trevor is back! Written by James Lecesne and directed by Peggy Rajski, Trevor won an Oscar in 1994 for Best Live Action Short. Four years later, when HBO presented the film about a 13-year-old gay boy who tried to kill himself after his friends rejected him, Lecesne and Rajksi founded The Tre- vor Project. Because no lifeline existed for kids facing the same crisis as Trevor, they dedicated themselves to a support organization for these young people with a crisis and suicide prevention lifeline plus guidance and re- sources for educators and parents. Trevor, the book, will be available in galleys by May with an August release date for the finished book from Seven Stories Press.

Chelsea Station, Issue 2. Ed. By Jameson Currier. 2012. 126p. Chelsea Station Editions, $15. 978-1- 937627-71-3: Two years ago, author Jim Currier founded Chelsea Station Editions, publishing major names in gay literature. A year later he launched Chelsea Station, a literary magazine of gay writing—fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Currier’s plan is to annually publish three to six issues; Issue 2 has just come out. In addition to ten short stories, six poems, a one-act play, a travel memoir, and several essays, this issue provides gay book re- views and an article on gay Jewish books. Interviews include two conversations, one between David Pratt and Michael Graves and the other between Charles Silverstein and Perry Brass, and one with Edmund White. Another interview describes the two book festivals in New Orleans: Tennessee Williams and Saints & Sinners. This literary magazine is highly recommended for those interested in gay literature; submissions can be sent to in- [email protected]

Volume 23 Number 4 Page 4

Library as Safe Space—Librarian as Ally by Jenny Betz, GLSEN Whether you are school-based or organizations and resources)? at a community library, you’ve probably  Do you celebrate LGBT-related events, such as LGBT observed young people who find safety History Month (October), LGBT Pride Month (June), No and solace among the stacks. They sit Name-Calling Week (January), Day of Silence (April)? and read during lunch and do their  Do you incorporate LGBT-related materials into other homework after school. They may come events, such as Banned Books Week (September), Read to the library to escape the taunting of Across America (March), Women’s History Month peers or disapproval of their parents. (March), Black History Month (February), Holocaust They may come to the library to be safe. Remembrance Day (January)? But that’s just the start of it. With your Are your library accommodations (restroom, etc.) safe help, lesbian, gay, bisexual and  transgender (LGBT) youth can use your and accessible for all patrons, including transgender library to enrich their lives as they youth? search the web, read and explore your collection to learn  Do you provide space for Gay Straight Alliances or local about themselves and the world around them. LGBT youth organizations? Our nation’s schools continue to be hostile I suspect that most of you will answer “yes” to most of environments for LGBT youth in middle and high school. these questions. We know that librarians have often been According to GLSEN’s 2009 National School Climate Survey strong advocates and allies to LGBT youth. And, for those (NSCS), 85% experience harassment based on their sexual areas in which you see room for growth at your library, orientation and 65% based on their each connect with one of our 36 local chapters around the year. One third of LGBT students missed at least of day of country, visit GLSEN.org, find us on facebook.com/glsen, or school in the last month because they felt unsafe. The name- follow us at twitter.com/glsen. calling, bullying, harassment and assault that LGBT students In particular, I encourage you to check out our free online experience also lead to lowered academic achievement and resources: educational aspirations, and poorer psychological well-being.  No Name-Calling Week: An annual week of educational Our research shows that in order to provide safe and activities aimed at ending name-calling of all kinds, inclusive environments for LGBT students, schools should inspired by James Howe’s “The Misfits”. Free lesson work to provide: Gay Straight Alliances and other student plans, tips to prevent bullying, resource and book lists, clubs, LGBT-inclusive curriculum (including library materials), etc. supportive educators (including librarians), and  GLSEN’s Safe Space Kit : A guide to being and ally to comprehensive bullying/harassment policies. LGBT youth. Includes book recommendations, tips on GLSEN has always seen librarians as partners in responding to “that’s so gay” and other anti-LGBT ensuring safe, inclusive and respectful spaces for all youth. language, a guide to supporting youth who come out to In fact, while overall the percentage of students with access you, etc. Free to download or purchase a hard copy for to LGBT-related information in school has not changed your collection. dramatically over the past 10 years, there is one exception.  Unheard Voices: A free LGBT history resource created by The percentage of students with access to inclusive library GLSEN, the Anti-Defamation League and StoryCorps. resources continues to grow each year. Still, only about half Download oral history clips, discussion guides, of LGBT high school and 20% of LGBT middle school students biographical and historical resources, lesson plans and report having access to LGBT-related library materials at activities. school. You have a unique opportunity to be an ally to LGBT  Ready, Set, Respect!: GLSEN’s Elementary School students. You can ensure that your library carries materials Toolkit, focused on name-calling, gender roles and family with positive representations of LGBT history, themes and diversity. Includes tip sheets, book and resource lists events. And, you can be there for students when they most and lesson plans. Free to download or purchase a hard need adult support. For that, LGBT youth need to know they copy for your collection. can talk to you. Unfortunately, less than 30% of LGBT GLSEN has provided groundbreaking research, student reported feeling comfortable talking to librarians resources and programs for over 20 years, envisioning a about LGBT issues and only 15% actual have. world in which every child learns to respect and accept all So, what type of environment are you creating in your people, regardless of or / library? expression. GLSEN seeks to develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes to  Do your library rules include respect for all visitors and creating a more vibrant and diverse community. ALA, the are those rules posted where everyone can see them? GLBTRT and individual school and local librarians continue to  Do you intervene when you see name-calling or bullying be our partners in working towards this vision. in-person or online? In a country where most LGBT students report facing  Does your collection include books, periodicals and harassment, fewer than half say their school has a GSA, less media with LGBT-related themes for all age levels? than 20% report that their school has comprehensive and  Do you display books and hang posters with diverse enumerated bullying/harassment policies, and where only faces and families? 12% have been taught positive representations about LGBT  Do you ensure access to LGBT-related content on the people, history or events in their classes, your help is crucial. internet (you’d be surprised how many schools and Make your library safe and inclusive. Be an ally to LGBT libraries can’t access GLSEN.org or other LGBT youth. GLSEN loves LIBRARIANS!

Volume 23, Number 4 Page 5

Queer Resources in NYC by Lydia Willoughby

Lydia Willoughby is one of the organizers of Schwartzman Building at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, Que(e)ry Party, a party for queer librarians and those on Bryant Park in midtown . who love them. By throwing benefit dance parties in Brooklyn and Manhattan, Que(e)ry brings attention and Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies (CLAGS), Grad- support to hidden LGBT and queer collections, as well as uate Center; The City University of New York the population of LGBT and queer information profession- (CUNY): A project of CLAGS, Out History is a community als who contribute to the cultural record. The following -based archive of LGBT and queer history with the motto article highlights collections of note to her community, of “for the community, by the community.” Working as a either for their longevity, bold new visions for sex- wikipage, Out History seeks to crowd source the docu- positive community-based heritage, or the depth and mentation of key moments in our community’s history by precise articulation of moments that have defined LGBT inviting the public to add content. and queer history over the last century or so. For brevi- ty’s sake, she focused on LGBT and queer collections in Leslie Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art: museums, libraries and archives. Much like its West Coast ally, the Tom of Finland Founda- is rich in lesbian, gay, bisexual, tion gallery, the Leslie Lohman Museum is New York’s transgender (LGBT), , queer and questioning, premier gallery and art space dedicated solely to the Two Spirit, and non gender-conforming heritage. From work of LGBT and queer artists and performers. The mis- Tom Spanbauer’s The City of Shy Hunters and the sim- sion is to preserve gay art against the endangering influ- mer of June-time in the village, to the pariahs of Hell’s ences of and discrimination; a founder, Fritz Kitchen and Fulton Avenue in Brooklyn, New York’s five Lohman proclaimed, “I was born to get this work out of boroughs encompass much diversity in its LGBT and the closet and onto the walls.” With a permanent collec- queer communities. tion and regularly rotated contemporary exhibition space, New York is also one of the world’s premier cities Leslie Lohman is working to create a Museum of Queer for bibliophiles. The cubic footage of New York’s libraries Visual Culture as part of the mall in Washington, D.C. and archives would probably completely surround the island of Manhattan ad infinitum. Among the many treas- Crisperanto: The Quentin Crisp Archives: Hailed as th ures of these collections, are several libraries and ar- the Oscar Wilde of the 20 century, Quentin Crisp lived chives dedicated solely to LGBT and queer history and his life at large, dedicated to the freedoms, joys and phi- culture. losophies of self-acceptance and tolerance. Most of this collection of his papers, letters, manuscripts, and all ar- The Lesbian Herstory Archives (LHA): Since 1974, chival material dedicated to this provocateur is available this Park Slope, Brooklyn collection has been the place to online, but additional materials are available for research go for publications that document the history of gay, les- at the archives on Bleecker Street. bian, and feminist activism. A crucial component of the Pop-up Museum of Queer History: This relatively new LHA’s mission is that by recording and cataloging the museum transforms temporary installation spaces into lives of for future generations, the organization exhibits celebrating the rich diversity of LGBT and queer hopes to encourage contemporary lesbians to participate history. Youth play a special role in the leadership of the- in this process of documentation. Whether it is ephem- se “pop-up” spaces as the Museum continues to claim era, memorabilia, old tee shirts, or periodicals, photog- public spaces as queer spaces with its expositions. raphy or rare books, the LHA is open to all lesbians, with the mission of creating a living herstory. ACT UP Oral History Project: This collection of inter- LGBT Community Center: Pat Parker/Vito Russo views and stories from living members of the AIDS Coali- Library and Archives: Founded in 1991, the Pat Parker/ tion to Unleash Power (ACT UP), New York, is coordinated Vito Russo Library, NYC’s largest such circulating library, by some of the founding members of the Mix LGBT Film is dedicated primarily to LGBT and queer literature, film, Festival, humanizing the complex convergence of forces and video. (Vito Russo is the author of The Celluloid Clos- th both systematic and historical that were the AIDS epi- et). This year, the Center celebrates its 4 annual Rain- demic in New York City. ACT UP is still fighting against bow Book Fair, a collaboration with CLAGS and CUNY stigma and for the end of AIDS. (more below).The Center’s Archives were founded in 1990 to preserve the history of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals and organizations. With reg- Hetrick-Martin Institute/ High School: ular exhibits, the Archives, a rich collection of scholarly Because this high school serves a special population of content dating back to 1920, are accessible to all. Found- LGBT and queer youth, the media center emphasizes ma- er of the collection, volunteer archivist Rich Wandel is the terials for these students. With education programs that main contact for the Archives. provide scholarships, internships, extracurricular activi- ties, and training in a variety of disciplines, the Harvey LGBT and HIV/AIDS Collections at the New York Milk High School is a unique space of learning. Public Library (NYPL): Over 100 different collections For links to additional information, please visit Que(e)ry pertaining to LGBT and queer heritage in its Manuscripts Party’s resources page. and Archives Division are available at the Stephen A.

Page 6 Volume 23 Number 4 Glad Hand Bookshop Escapes Chopping Block In the exciting years after the in by folks passionate about books who carefully curate New York, independent bookstores that focusing on what’s on the shelf so that we can find great queer lit.” LGBT interests formed the nucleus of activism, promot- The news is better for Glad Day Bookshop in Toron- ing not only new publications but also creating neigh- to. Considered the world’s oldest LGBT bookstore, the borhoods and communication within the LGBT commu- store was opened in 1970 in founder Jearld Moldenhau- nity. Within the past decade, however, these er’s home before moving to two different locations and bookstores, like other indies, have disappeared at an then selling in 1991 to John Scythes who was support- astronomical rate. ing it with his savings by the end of last year. When he New York City's Oscar Wilde Bookshop, thought to put the store up for sale last December, it seemed be the oldest gay bookstore in the U.S., closed in doomed until approximately 20 Toronto investors band- 2009; Outloud, Nashville’s gay bookstore, closed their ed together to buy the store. The youngest one is 23- doors the next year after 15 years of service. One year year-old Spencer Charles Smith, who said he wanted ago, , located in the home of the Wash- “to give back to the queer community.” ington, D.C. gay rights movement of Dupont Circle, A mix of activists, educators, writers, musicians, closed after a 26-year run. Northern lost its lawyers, and government workers, the group, led by last LGBT bookstore after the closing of A Different Michael Erickson, a high school teacher, is united be- Light Bookstore in the Castro last spring. cause “everyone cares about the preservation and In Atlanta, Outwrite, a queer Southern haven for growth of the LGBTQ community, and books and sto- 19 years, filed ries are important to us in doing that.” Erickson said, for bankruptcy “Our task as new owners is to give people a reason to and then closed come in and support the future of the bookstore,” he its location at said. The group expects to make a series of announce- the corner of ments in early March. “We’ve got some exciting chang- 10th and Pied- es and expansions…that we hope will bring back the mont after try- golden days of the bookstore as a hub of culture and ing to relocate. creativity for the LGBTQ community.” One idea is The store had Books on Wheels, taking books to people unable to been struggling, climb up to the second-floor setting. owing four years Bookstores do far more than retail books, and Glad of back taxes Day has contributed more than its share of good works. and four months According to queerty.com, Glad Day “was key in chang- of unpaid rent ing Canada’s laws: In 2003′s R. v. Glad which contribut- Day Bookshops Inc., the courts found that requiring the ed to over approval of the Ontario Film Review Board before films $500,000 of could be distributed or shown in the province was a debt. violation of the freedom of expression. Its closure leaves Charis Books & More, the city’s lesbi- an-owned feminist bookstore as one of the few remaining independent feminist bookstores in the country the total reduced to 13 from the 120 located in the United States and Canada in 1994. Lambda Literary director Tony Valenzuela described the loss of bookstores to queerty.com: “The physical space that LGBT bookstores provided as cultural commu- nity centers, to place fliers if you were an activist, to host queer readings… this central role has been dispersed. What’s lost, of course, is an institution that serves as a meeting space, a business run

Page 7 Volume 23 Number 4 Culture Moves LGBT Literature Support to Libraries Three of the ten For the last two LGBT bookstores decades, bookstores have worldwide described in talked about the impact of a queerty article are in chain stores and online the United States: retailers for the loss of these icons of LGBT Calamus Bookstore literature. Then came the (92 South St., Boston, recession and e-books MA): Named after which made further Walt Whitman’s inroads. There is also a culture shift away from LGBT- collection of gay love specific businesses. Gay bars are fading away, poems, the bookstore including the 30-year-old Eagle Tavern in also publishes LGBT that couldn’t afford a 20-percent rent increase. titles for e-readers. Newspapers for this audience have also been disappearing for several years after the popularity of Obelisk Shoppe (1029 the Internet. The good news is that the latest loss, University Ave., San Diego, Portland’s 28-year-old Just Out, is coming back. New CA): Although a fire in its publisher Jonathan Kipp made this announcement on historic building closed the newspaper’s Facebook page: “New publisher. New down this bookstore, staff. New voice. New look. New vision. Just Out 2.0 is owners hope for a grand around the corner.” It’s website says 46 days and reopening by Pride 2012. counting. One theory for these changes is the absorption of LGBT people into the mainstream giving them less Giovanni’s Room (345 need for the LGBT bookstores and bars and S 12th St., Philadelphia, newspapers. Alan Hollinghurst described a shift in PA): Opened in 1973, literature: "I think that gay writing, gay fiction, had its the oldest operating point, its urgency, through all those years, and then gay bookstore in the AIDS crisis added another huge story. But lately, America, with all the social and legal changes, and the way the commemorated by an perception of gay people has changed, I feel that gay historical marker from writing is already dissolving into the main body of the Pennsylvania writing. I sort of feel we’ve moved on.” Historical Commission, The loss of bookstores just makes the work of is responsible for GLBTRT even more important. We need to find quality helping to launch books for our community and make these books careers of LGBT authors such as Edmund White, available and visible in the libraries. We need to Dorothy Allison, E. Lynn Harris, and Leslie Feinberg. continue the role of LGBT bookstores “so that we can [photo thanks to www.lambdaliterary.com] find great queer lit.”

Gerber/Hart Library Moves, Stays Open

When a “For Rent” sign went up in the Gerber/Hart Library and Archives, the Midwest’s largest library of gay and lesbian titles, rumors flew across the Internet as people pondered whether the 21-year-old facility was going to close. The answer is no, according to Gerber/Hart President Karen Sendziak who has announced that the re- source will relocate to Rogers Park in Clark Point Plaza, 6500 N. Clark St. (Chicago) by the end of April. Not eve- ryone is happy about the change; a group called Friends of Gerber/Hart has expressed concern about Sendziak’s and the board’s transparency in the transfer of the facility and its 14,000 volumes and 800 periodicals. According to the announcement, Gerber/Hart will remain open until just before the move. Founded in 1981, the Henry Ger- ber–Pearl M. Hart Library: The Midwest Lesbian & Gay Resource Center is operated by a non-profit organization and was awarded $25,000 in 2009 through a grant from the state Fund for Illinois’ Future.

Help Wanted: Katina Sawyer, a PhD candidate in Psychology and Women's Studies at Penn State, is collecting data for her dissertation on LGBT work-family conflict and wishes to conduct interviews with LGBT individuals. The interview will last about 1 hour and can be conducted over the phone. This study has been approved by Penn State's IRB (#38344). You need to be over 18, employed full or part time (in a job outside of being a grad- uate assistant), identify as LGBT, and are currently partnered. [email protected].

Page 8 Volume 23 Number 4

Impacts of State Non-Discrimination Laws on Companies Operating Nationally by Jarred Wilson California’s SB117 was introduced by Senator vendors adopting more inclusive anti-discrimination Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) and sponsored by policies as a result of them doing business togeth- Equality California, and signed into law by Governor er. Jerry Brown on September 6, 2011. SB117 prohib- There seems to be little or no effect on state its state agencies from entering into a contract of agencies because of policies such as California’s $100,000 or more with businesses that discrimi- SB117. Most large vendors who work with libraries nate based on sexual orientation in providing em- will likely have some kind of policies in place, espe- ployee benefits. cially larger companies or companies who work While existing state non-discrimination laws within multiple states, especially any of the twenty already prohibit discrimination by companies locat- two states that have non-discrimination laws in ed within California, this law would expand that non place. -discrimination requirement to companies working However, determining which companies are outside of California, but on a California state agen- GLBT friendly is a topic that merits further work. cy project. Essentially, any benefit that would be Also, the peculiarities of interstate contract law offered to a different-sex partner or spouse must were not the main point of this article. To that also be offered to same-sex partners or spouses. end, if anyone has legal expertise and can offer any There are a number of cities in California and na- clarification (or correction) to the information tionwide which have similar ordinances, but Califor- above, please feel free to share it with the Newslet- nia seems to be the first state to enact such a law. ter Committee. This piece of legislation brings up questions Further resources: about the effect on libraries. In California, any SB117 info sheet from law firm of Trucker state agency (i.e. a state library, a state university Huss library) would be prohibited from doing business (of http://www.truckerhuss.com/articles/ $100,000 or more per year) with a company who view_article.cgi? discriminates based on sexual orientation in provid- class=articles&article=_other_regulatory_m ing employee benefits. This would apply to a com- atters/20110901_Contractors_And_Same_ pany located in or out of the state of California. Sex_Benifits_For_Spouses.txt Large library vendors such as EBSCO, OCLC, SB117 full text from California Legislature GALE/CENGAGE Learning, Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/ and Pro-Quest would all need to have non- postquery? discrimination policies in place if they want to do bill_number=sb_117&sess=CUR&house=B business with California state agencies. The task of &author=kehoe finding out if those library vendors have such poli- Information from Equality Calnifornia, SB117 cies in place is difficult. Many companies promote sponsoring organization their employee benefits on their job posting por- http://www.eqca.org/site/pp.asp? tions of their websites, but do not explicitly state c=kuLRJ9MRKrH&b=6524847 whether or not their benefits are equal for same- Study from Christy Mallory and Brad Sears sex partners. http://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wp- When a California state agency is dealing content/uploads/Mallory-Sears-Govt- with a vendor, what kind of administrative difficul- Contractors-Non-Discrim-Feb-2012.pdf ties does SB117 have the potential to create? A

study published in February of 2012 by Christy Mal- lory and Brad Sears of The Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law, showed that adoption of ordinances James Franco has released requiring non-discrimination against their LGBT The Broken Tower, a film employees has proven to have “little disruption” or based on the life of gay poet to provide additional burden to government opera- Hart Crane, one of the most tions. important voices in American While California’s SB117 applies to contracts poetry, and adapted from a of $100,000 or more, the dollar thresholds in exist- biography by Paul L. Mariani. ing local ordinances, when there is one, are much lower (in the $1,000 to $50,000 range), thus mak- Co-starring Michael Shannon ing California’s SB117 much less prohibitive to the and brother Dave Franco, the government agency. film is also available for digi- Furthermore, the study by Mallory and Sears tal download and On De- showed that some local governments reported their mand.

Volume 23, Number 4 Page 9

Book Reviews: YA Fiction/Nonfiction Danforth, Emily M. The Miseducation of Cameron Post. HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray, 2012. Hardcover. 470p. $17.99. 978-0-06-202056-7.

My provost flagged The ne’s dad is taking her home, where her grandmother is Miseducation of Cameron Post “waiting for her.” Riding in silence, Cameron is terrified for me after hearing about it that he knows about the kiss, and that this is what her on NPR. To me those were two grandmother will speak to her about. When she gets good reasons to order home and is told that her parents were killed in an auto- Danforth’s debut novel. mobile accident, she is relieved that her first lesbian en- Though I seldom read young counter wasn’t discovered. In her shock, her relief is adult books, this was an en- mixed with grief, forming a major theme in the plot. gaging story, written in a multi When her Aunt Ruth moves in to take over guardi- -layered and well-crafted man- anship responsibilities, Cameron’s life takes a sharp turn ner that can also stand up to to the right and she joins a local born again church. De- an adult audience. Its many spite this, Cameron has a few more same-sex encounters film and cultural references are as she moves toward high school. Then she is found out, a special delight to those of us and is shipped off to a Christian boarding school designed who remember the ‘80s. to overcome sexual sin (ie gay/lesbianism). Two significant events occur Although the story unwinds in a predictable way, it one day in the summer of 1989 for 12-year-old Cameron is Cameron’s honest and believable narration, how she Post in rural Montana. One afternoon while sitting in a sorts through her feelings and tries to survive in her vari- hay loft, Cameron’s best friend Irene dares her to kiss ous communities, that makes this story stand out. Every her. Since this story is told looking back, Cameron fills us library that has even a small young adult collection in on all the emotional twists and turns of this interlude, should add this book. and we know from the beginning that Cameron is attract- ed to girls. Later that night, while spending the night at Reviewer: Morgan Gwenwald Irene’s, Cameron is told to get up and get dressed – Ire- SUNY New Paltz Resilience: stories, poems, essays, words for LGBT teens about growing up, surviving, living and thriving. Ed. by Eric Nguyen. [S.l. : s.n, 2012. Distributed by Lulu.com. 165 p. $16.00.

Sometimes, when the tides of pain any anthology, some pieces are stronger than others, but and love and injustice are particularly none weaken the collection. high, artists, poets, and writers are called However, this is a self-published anthology. The col- to create works offering hope and love to lection’s strengths include not only the quality of the content, those who suffer. Recently, a rash of but also the feel of the paper, the colorful and intriguing cov- suicides of bullied young gay, lesbian, er art, and the balance of text to white space on the pag- questioning teens has brought the LGBT es. The problems occur more from lack of publishing experi- community together to offer hope and ence than from a lack of talent. There is no introductory support to other youth living in intolera- statement about the scope of the book. The works are obvi- ble situations. This impetus has created ously not all memoir nor all fiction, but it is sometimes diffi- web sites such as the Trevor Project cult to tell which is which. One piece, written in the first which provides crisis intervention and person voice of a young gay man, is by an author whose suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, biographical information indicates that she is married to a transgender, and questioning youth, the It Gets Better pro- man and has two children. While it is not inconceivable that ject, and the Make It Safe Project which donates books a gay male-identified teen might become a married woman, about sexual orientation and gender expression to schools it seems unlikely—yet, there is no indication that the story is and youth homeless shelters. fictional. Information on the author of another story was not Resilence: Stories, Poems, Essays, Words for LGBT included in the brief biographies. An experienced editor Teens is a collection of 26 works, some previously pub- would have made sure that biographical notes on all the au- lished. Proceeds from sales of the book will help fund the thors were included. That lack of experience is one of the Make It Safe Project. There are stories of , sto- weaknesses Resilience shares with many self-published ries of falling in love with another girl, another boy, a story works. I hope that future editions of this collection will have of a transgender man visiting his hometown and telling a corrected these oversights. young lesbian that it gets better. There are poems of young Despite the few editorial problems, I recommend this boys kissing and being wrenched apart, of rage bubbling up book for high school, public, and undergraduate library read- beneath a diagnosis of AIDS, of reclaiming one's place in the ing collections. South. There are two plays, one for three men and the other a family drama of a girl, her mother and father. Another work explores two women’s long-term exchange of letters, Reviewer: Jane Cothron, Cataloger beginning when they were respectively 20 and 13. As with Lincoln County Library District (OR)

Page 10 Volume 23 Number 4

Book Reviews: YA Fiction Saenz, Benjamin Aire. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers. February 2012. 368 pages. $16.99. 978-1442408920.

When Simon and very different, they are loving and supportive of Schuster rep David Gale one another; this is not in any way another dys- handed me an advanced functional family YA novel. In fact, without giving reading copy of Aristotle too much away, it is the parent's wishes for their and Dante Discover the sons’ happiness that drive the final actions of this Secrets of the Universe at story. I loved this book, laughing and crying all the ALA Midwinter, he told me way through. The writing is near perfect, the char- that it was the best LGBT acters are real, the families healthy and strong. I YA novel that S&S was lent my copy to a coworker's high school daughter publishing this who also loved it. year. Granted, the year is Aristotle and Dante will be a crossover book young, but he may well be for both boys and girls, as well as adult readers. right. The story will strongly resonate with LGBT readers Set in El Paso, two and may well help straight readers to better under- Mexican American families’ stand their LGBT friends. In other words, this book lives become intertwined is just right for your library collection. Buy it for when their teen sons become best friends, some- your library, buy a copy for yourself, buy it for that thing neither have ever had before. Aristotle's fami- LGBT teen in your life, and buy one to give away. ly has a big secret that is never discussed; Dante's Essential for all public and school libraries, family is open and academically inclined. As they and for academic libraries collecting LGBT or YA lit. come to share their lives, each young man and their families change and grow through separation, Reviewer: Dave Combe, Librarian Specialist reunion, accident and love. Though the families are E.P Foster Library, Ventura (CA)

Book Reviews: Adult Fiction

Bellerose, Sally. The Girls Club. Bywater Books, 2011. Paperback. 287p. $14.95. 978-1-932859-78-2.

Family is the focus of In her debut novel, Bellerose skillfully weaves this unique coming-out sto- together themes of sisterhood, , parenting, ry, which covers a decade in marriage, and sexuality as Cora Rose faces the the lives of three sisters of forced upon her by her culture. The fast- Catholic, working-class par- paced narrative follows flawed, realistic and brave ents. In 1970, 14-year-old characters with a magical blend of bittersweet Cora Rose suffers from “the events and frail hope. This story epitomizes the dreaded bowel disease,” as 1970s, a time of growing awareness about human well as confu- sexuality, by honestly depicting the struggles and sion and conflicts with her losses of a messy life as Cora Rose gropes her way older sisters Renee and Ma- to finding independence, satisfaction, and joy. More rie. than a girl-meets-girl tale, this novel is a girl-meets After being caught in -herself saga. an embrace with her best With its fine writing and insights into the les- friend Stella, Cora Rose resorts to having sex with a bian coming-out process, this book is recommended boy and gets pregnant the very first time. Humor for all libraries as well as for people who like a and vulnerability play equal parts in the sassy pro- “different type of coming-out story.” tagonist’s life as she marries, gets an ostomy after surgery for her ulcerative colitis, and then separates from her husband following her involvement with a Nel Ward woman at The Girls Club, a lesbian bar. Retired Librarian (Newport, OR)

Volume 23, Number 4 Page 11

Book Reviews: Adult Fiction Petretta, J. V. An Impossible Dream Story. Dog Ear Publishing, 2011. 251 p. $15.95. 978-1-4575-0680-2. J. V. Petretta confesses that nie cooks up a harebrained scheme to ride a bike his novel, which reads like a with a trailer 5,000 miles across the country to raise memoir or autobiography, is money for AIDS research and support. He sets out “inspired by many true events in from Buffalo, riding west against prevailing winds, my life.” The hero of this great learning only later that most cross-country bikers story is Vincent (Vinnie, “Viper”) ride in the opposite direction to benefit from the Pirelli, a young boy growing up in winds. But he makes it to Seattle, Oregon and Cali- Indiana in the 1950s and ‘60s. fornia, ending in San Diego. With a homophobic, berating fa- Having returned to Buffalo, again he is very ill ther and an indifferent mother, and homeless, living in his car. At the VA hospital, young Vinnie finds escape from he meets a wonderful pastor of an open and his difficult home life by excelling affirming United Church of Christ, so he decides to in a number of jobs and riding on his beloved bicy- go, and on his first visit he meets a garrulous char- cle. acter who turns out to be Bobby Sox, his first Years later Vinnie escapes to the military, love. Here the novel (memoir) ends, happily ever where he falls in love with a fellow soldier, “Bobby after, I dearly hope. Sox,” but both are afraid to demonstrate their love This is Peretta’s first novel. I hope he writes with anything other than sleeping chastely together more. He is planning a big bicycle book tour (see and roughhousing. He later marries a Thai woman www.animpossibledreamstory.com). He had lots of whom he meets during military R&R. They raise a help with this book, including editing, but a few in- family and are happy together until Vinnie finally felicitous phrases ended up in the finished work, comes to terms with his deep feelings for such as “an updated policy … on Equal Employment men. When they painfully divorce, his wife takes Opportunities, which included ‘sexual origin’ as an everything. added category.” Surely he means “sexual orienta- Still trying to win his father’s praise, Vinnie tion.” Luckily none of the editing problems cause leaves his successful military career when his father any harm. calls him home with the promise of a good job. The This is a great read even though it is painful job disappears, and he starts all over again at the at times, and would be worthy of any library inter- bottom, this time in the restaurant business, where ested in a genuine record of a difficult gay life from he succeeds once again. He begins living a gay life- the 1950s to the 1990s. style, going overboard to make up for lost time, and contracts HIV. He ends up homeless and very ill in Reviewer: James Doig Anderson, Buffalo, NY, and relies on the VA hospital that cares Professor Emeritus for and nurtures him. Library and Information Science Returning to his boyhood love of biking, Vin- Rutgers University

January Voice to Voice Series Concentrates on LGBT Writers

LGBT authors were the focus of Huffington Post’s initial Voice to Voice conversation series in January as they featured interviews between novelists, poets, playwrights, and writers talking about topics from the state of LGBT literature to sex and sexuality between the pages to the joys and challenges of writing about LGBT issues, themes, and lives. The first conversation of the month was between Violet Quill members Edmund White and Felice Picano; Violet Quill was a legendary writing group that produced some of the greatest gay writers of the late 20th and 21st centuries. The next two conversations featured novelists Christopher Rice and Eric Shaw Quinn and writer Robert Leleux talking with writer, actor, and drag legend Charles Busch. Part of the talk between Rice and Quinn revolved around the question of labeling a book “gay.” They also discussed the issue of gays becoming more mainstream and its effect on gay literature as well as the change in coming-of-age stories between generations because anti-gay bigotry has lessened. The fourth discussion, about lesbian literature, was between Ellen Hart and Val McDermid. They talked about the disappearance of small presses that nurtured lesbian literature, the differences between publishing in the U.S. and UK, and the change in popularity from the “lesbian crime novel" to romances. All four were great conversations!

Page 12 Volume 23 Number 4

Book Reviews: Adult Nonfiction Stewart, Jim. Blues: A Memoir of 1970s SoMa and Leatherfolk in Gay San Francisco. Palm Drive Publishing, 2011. Paperback. 213 pages. $14.95. 978-1-890834-03-6.

From 1975 to 1982, Jim Awards. Harvey Milk, the still-unknown Robert Map- Stewart rejoiced in life as plethorpe, and Raymond Burr also crossed Stew- a wild young leatherman art’s path. So did many who are lost to history, like in San Francisco. Folsom Tom the Boulevardier and the widow with a thing Street Blues is a collec- for firemen. tion of his memories of By 1982, a new disease called Gay-Related "the gay man's paradise, Immune Deficiency was the topic on everyone’s lips the leatherman's Valhal- and Harvey Milk had been dead for years. With mid- la" that flourished along dle-age approaching, Stewart’s thoughts turned to Folsom Street. Bringing stability and the advantages of health insurance and life to sexual fantasies a pension. He departed for library school at West- that shifted into perfor- ern Michigan University. mance art was his spe- In a touching epilogue, Stewart returns to San cialty. So was taking Francisco with his partner of twenty-five years, hav- sexy photos of hot young ing become head of the history department at the men, some of which ap- Chicago Public Library before retiring. He says that pear in this volume (including several self- now is the time for telling secrets, and he has done portraits). Initially selling his pictures through the so with humor and panache. (He likens one ac- mail, Stewart went on to have five one-person gal- quaintance who wore gold hoops in both ears and lery shows during this period and saw his photo- both nipples to a chest of drawers by Salvador Dali.) graphs published frequently in San Francisco's long- Jim Stewart is currently writing a mystery running Drummer magazine. Carpentry was another novel. I can’t wait to read it. specialty. He built bars, restraint structures, meat Includes 38 black and white photographs. racks, and a life-size cross for one popular estab- Recommended for libraries with any interest lishment, which promptly hired him as a bartender. in GLBT history. Friendships blossomed -- with Chuck Arnett, "master artist of the leather scene," writer Jack Reviewer: Joyce Meggett Fritscher, and gallery owner and photographer Rob- Division Chief for Humanities ert Opel -- the man who streaked the Academy Chicago Public Library

Schanke, Robert A. Queer Theatre and the Legacy of Cal Yeomans. Palgrave, 2011. Hardcover. 239p. $85.00. 978-0-230-11575-0.

One of the founders of raphy of a playwright but a history of theatre and gay theatre, Cal Yeomans GLBT as a whole during the significant period be- explored sex and sexuality tween the Stonewall riots and the AIDS epidemic, in a candid way, in an at- including the desegregation of schools, and coming tempt to overcome what he out and coming to terms with one’s own sexuality had been raised to despise. during these times. Queer Theatre and the Leg- Organized into ten chapters, Robert Schanke acy of Cal Yeomans is a well uses eye-catching titles that reflect Yeoman’s writing -researched biography that style (although these do not describe the chapters’ explores the life and times contents for the novice to the field). Numerous pho- of the often forgotten award tographs are included, providing visual interest. -winning playwright. Using A documentary history, yet also a biography, primary sources donated by this work draws the reader in and would be a valua- Yeoman to the University of ble addition to any GLBT or theatre collection. Florida Smathers Library as well as the author’s own research using printed ma- terials and interviews, this book is not only a biog- Reviewer: Sine Nomine

Volume 23, Number 4 Page 13

Film Review No Dumb Questions. Dir. Melissa Regan. Epiphany Productions, 2001. 24 min.

Have you ever aunt, the two older girls initially have great difficulty been in a situation facing her, despite their earlier preparation and de- where you wanted sire to not offend her. The youngest handles it with to ask someone ease, hoping her aunt will play Barbies with her. Be- personal questions, fore the visit is over, they discover that their aunt is but hesitated for still the same beloved person—though different—and fear of being inap- is still "pretty nice" and smart, like she always has propriate or too been. prying? Has want- Post-visit, the girls learn about some of the ing to know more harsh realities for transgender people. They are an- about transgender gry to discover that their Uncle Steve is not handling people been one of Aunt Barbara’s transition very well and has chosen to those times? not see her on this trip. They also learn that even If so, "No though their new aunt is flying home for the first time Dumb Questions" as a woman, her ID still says she is Bill, and they is the film for you. immediately grasp the difficulties that Barbara may In this 2001 experience at the airport. documentary, High production values are absent from the film three sisters, ages and it feels closer to a home movie than not, but ra- 6, 9, and 11, learn ther than detracting from the film, the lower produc- that their beloved tion values enhance its intimacy. Uncle Bill is becoming their Aunt Barbara and will Though over ten years old, this film is still one of soon be visiting. Shot at their family home, the girls the best…if not THE best… film for introducing people are allowed to ask whatever questions they want in to transgender lives. At 24 minutes length, this preparation for meeting Aunt Barbara, with the rule award winning film is perfect for classroom or train- that there are "no dumb questions." ing situations, providing launching points for discus- We watch as the girls sort out what language to sion. Charming, candid, and entertaining, it is an use and wonder what physical changes their uncle excellent start for those new to the subject, while still will go through, including hair removal and anatomy. moving for those more experienced with transgender They navigate the confusion of why someone would issues. want to change one’s sex or gender and what terms Teaching and discussion guides, as well as to use to describe a person in transition. In many pricing information, are available at the film's web- ways, the thought processes that the girls go through site, www.NoDumbQuestions.com. Highly recom- are the same that adults go through when learning mended for both public and academic libraries. Ap- that a friend, family member, or co-worker is transi- propriate for all ages, though does have one F-word tioning from one gender to another. The main differ- instance. ence, however, is that the girls have been given the freedom to ask what are often uncomfortable ques- tions, particularly for adults. Reviewer: John Otto, Reference Librarian When it is time for the girls to meet their new Shoreline Community College

Leather Archives & Museum Receives Folsom Street Events Grant

On August 10, 2011, The Leather Archives & Museum (LA&M) announced that the records of Folsom Street Events has been added to its archival collection. Folsom Street Events produces Folsom Street Fair, the world's largest leather event, and Dore Alley Fair each year. The immense collection traces the history of the Fairs from the original Up Your Alley Fair in 1985 to the two large street festivals that exist today. The collection, which includes hundreds of organizational records, photographs, films, press clippings, posters and memorabilia, will be preserved and displayed by the LA&M. The collection will be available to patrons and scholars at the LA&M in Chicago and through the museum's distance research services. LA&M Executive Director Rick Storer said "The Folsom Street Events' records document a critical component of leather and fetish culture." Storer added that "Over the years, large gatherings like the Folsom Streets Fair have brought together the greater leather tribe and instilled a sense of community and respect among the various groups within the worldwide leather, fetish and communities."

Page 14 Volume 23, Number 4

Over the Rainbow Books not reviewed in the GLBTRT Newsletter.

The GLBTRT Review Committee is very grateful to publishers for providing books and films to make them available to our volunteer reviewers. We regret that we are unable to review all the materials that are submitted, but we wish to acknowledge these titles so that our readers will have information about books and films submitted to the GLBTRT Newsletter. Below are the books published that are also listed on the 2012 Over the Rainbow bibliography of recommended LGBT books for the previous 18 months.

Baim, Tracy and Owen Keehnen. Leatherman: The Legend of Chuck Renslow. Prairie Avenue Productions, 2011. 414p. $24.95. PB. 978-1461096023: This biography of Chicago bar owner, leatherman, entrepreneur, and gay rights activist Renslow features over 300 full-color photographs and interviews with family, colleagues, and friends.

Currier, Jameson. The Third Buddha. Chelsea Station, 2011. 288p. $20.00. PB. 978-0984470723: Ted Bridges, a law school dropout struggling with his sexual identity and sense of self, searches for his older brother in the aftermath of 9/11; journalists Ari and Jim, discontented lovers traveling in Afghanistan to find the Third Buddha, are violently separated when a roadside bomb erases Ari’s memory and Jim’s hearing.

Fletcher, Jane. Wolfsbane Winter. Bold Strokes Books, 2010. 164p. $16.95. PB. 978-1602821583: In a post-apocalyptic world ruled by demon magic, Deryn, a member of the Iron Wolf mercenary group, and Alana, a healer and empath forced into exile by the power of her gift, fall in love following their unlikely meeting in a small, rural town only to find their relationship and everyone else’s survival threatened.

Hellebore & Rue: Tales of Queer Women and Magic. Ed. By JoSelle Vanderhooft and Catherine Lundoff. Lethe Press, 2011. 238p. $15.00. PB. 978-1590213773: Meet a greenmage reuniting with her former partner for one last mission, a school nurse with a dark secret heritage, a witch with an unconventional familiar, and other intriguing women in this collection of fantasy short stories.

Jeffers, Alex. The Abode of Bliss: Ten Stories for Adam. Lethe Press, 2011. 282p. $18.00. PB. 978-1590212462: In these ten stories, Ziya, a Turkish gay man, explains his life history, including a childhood growing up in Istanbul and college years in America, to Adam, the man he now loves.

Monette, Sarah and Elizabeth Bear. The Tempering of Men. TOR, 2011. 304p. $25.99. HC. 978-0765324702: This high fantasy novel, a follow-up to Companion of Wolves, further explores an iron- age world in which northern warriors link minds with their companion wolves to battle trolls where the Northerners must forge alliances with neighbors who distrust their love of their wolves and one another, in order to fend off invaders from the south.

Pitts, J.A. Honeyed Words. [Sarah Beauhall Series]. TOR, 2011. 416p. $14.99. HC. 978-0765329073: Sarah Beauxhall, blacksmith, dragonslayer, and wielder of the reforged magical sword Gram, returns with her girlfriend to discover fairies, demons, and other supernatural beings--some of whom mean them deadly harm.

Check out the GLBTRT Over the Rainbow website for the full list!

Volume 23, Number 4 Page 15

Books published before 4/1/11, not reviewed in the GLBTRT Newsletter.

Bossa, Mel. Split. Bold Strokes, 2011. 236p. $16.95. PB. 978-1- 60282-220-7: Weeks before their engagement party, Derek’s diary reveals to Nathan past relationships and present possibilities that Derek considers.

Gowan, Lesley. The Collectors. Bold Strokes, 2011. 137p. $14.95. PB. 978-1-60282-208-5: All of Laura’s experiences with erotica came from reading until she meets her friend’s mistress Jeanne, an experienced dominant.

Henderson, Clifford. Maye’s Request. Bold Strokes, 2011. 291p. $16.95. PB. 978-1-60282-199-6: Bean’s seriously ill mother, whose lover is Bean’s father’s twin sister, asks Bean for help in resolving the rift between brother and sister.

McKnight, Gill. Indigo Moon. Garoul Series. Bold Strokes, 2011. 261p. $16.95. PB. 978-1-60282-201-6: Hope and Godfrey are on a mission to save their friend Isabelle, who has been attacked by a rogue werewolf.

Moody, Colette. Parties in Congress. Bold Strokes, 2011. 258p. $16.95. PB. 978-1-60282-202-3: Politics make strange bedfellows when paid campaigner Bijal Rao falls for her candidate’s opponent.

O’Brien, Meghan. Wild. Bold Strokes, 2011. 284p. $16.95. PB. 978 -1-60282-227-6: Shape-shifter Selene unexpectedly falls in love with forensic pathologist Eve Thomas and then discovers that someone is stalking her new love.

Oberg, Larry R. San Francisco: Open Your Golden Gate! Memoir. Xlibris, 2011. 89p. PB. 978-1-4568-6601-3: These episodes about a gay man cover six turbulent decades from World War II until the present and place each event in the period’s political and social contexts.

Powell, VK. Justifiable Risk. Bold Strokes, 2011. 257p. $16.95.PB. 978-1-60282-197-2: Hardworking homicide detective Greer Ellis buries herself in her work after the death of her partner until internationally renowned journalist Eva Saldana comes to town, searching for answers in her brother’s death.

Raand, L.L. Blood Hunt. Bold Strokes, 2011. 298p. $16.95. PB. 978 -1-60282-209-2: Chaos surrounds vampire detective Jody Gates as she battles forces determined to destroy her clan as she hungers for human reporter Becca Land. [L.L. Raand is a pseudonym for Radclyffe.]

Rose, Larkin. Kiss the Rain. Bold Strokes, 2011. 187p. $14.95. PB. 978-1-60282-211-5: Phone sex satisfies both fashion designer Eve Harris and the operator, Jodi Connelly, until they meet and confusion reigns.

Taite, Carsen. Nothing but the Truth. Bold Strokes, 2011. 250p. $16.95. PB. 978-1-60282-198-9: Sparks fly between prosecutor Ryan Foster and defense attorney Brett Logan until they find themselves on the same side of the case with a different set of sparks.

Page 16 Volume 23, Number 4

Calendar:

April 2 (Los Angeles): The 23rd Annual Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) Media Awards cere- monies

April 19, 7:00 p.m.(New York City): Publishing Triangle Awards ceremony

April 20: Day of Silence when hundreds of thousands of students nationwide take a vow of silence to bring at- tention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying, and harassment in their schools

May 17: International Day Against and (IDAHO)

June: National Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Pride Month; National GLBT Book Month

June 2 (San Francisco): The 23rd Annual Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) Media Awards ceremonies

June 4 (New York): Lambda Literary Awards

June 21-26 (Anaheim, CA): ALA Annual Conference: Transforming Our Libraries, Ourselves

June 27: Anniversary of Stonewall Riots

July 28-August 4 (American Jewish University, Los Angeles): The 2012 Writers Retreat for Emerging LGBT Voices, the only queer writers residency in the world

August 1-3 (Amsterdam, The Netherlands): The International Archives, Libraries, Museums and Special Collec- tions conference on the Future of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Histories (LGBTI ALMS 2012). Hosted by IHLIA, the International Gay and Lesbian Archive and Information Centre, aims to bring together Eu- ropean, North American and global civil society and national heritage institutions to make the history of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and intersex (LGBTI) citizens visible and accessible. Goals will focus on archiving, collecting oral histories, and collaboration in connection with LGBTI people.

September 19-23 (Kansas City, MO): The second Joint Conference of Librarians of Color featuring the theme “Gathering at the Waters: Celebrating Stories, Embracing Communities.” Opening keynote speaker is Sonia Manzano (Maria on Sesame Street); author luncheons include Lauren Myracle and Sharon Flake. One of the learning sessions is “Rainbow Family Collections: Celebrating Stories & Embracing LGBTQ Families.” Sponsors are the five associations of ethnic librarians—the American Indian Library Association (AILA), the Asian/Pacific Ameri- can Librarians Association (APALA), the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA), the Chinese American Librarians Association (CALA), and REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library and Infor- mation Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking. Registration opened March 1.

GLBTRT Officers / Committee Chairs/Steering Committee Anne Moore, 2011—2012 Peter Hepburn, 2010—2013 Shawn Vaillancourt, 2011-13 Chair GLBTRT Councilor Chair, Program Planning Committee [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

David Vess, 2011—2012 Vacant Danielle Pollock, 2012-2013 Chair-elect Chair, External Relations Committee Chair, Over the Rainbow Comm. [email protected] Committee Page & Volunteer Form [email protected]

Dale McNeill, 20011—2012 Vacant Michael Cart, 2012-2013 Past Chair Chair, Fundraising Committee Chair, Rainbow Project Committee [email protected] Committee Page & Volunteer Form [email protected]

Karen Schneider, 2011—2012 Larry Romans, 2010—2012 Lewis Day , 2011—2012 Secretary Chair, Membership Promotion Comm. Chair, Stonewall Book Award [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Dale McNeill, 20011—2013 Nel Ward, 2011-2013 Caitlin Shanley , 2011—2013 Treasurer Chair, Newsletter Committee Chair, Website, Committee [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]